Physics 101

Website address: http://www.people.virginia.edu/~sc2k/101-07/courserules.htm

Course Time:
Lecture: Tu,Th, 12:30 – 1:45, Room 203, Physics Building

Instructor:
Sergio Conetti, Professor of Physics
Room 217 , High Energy Physics Building. Office telephone: 982-5371
Email address: conetti@virginia.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday (2:00 – 3:00), room 312B in the Physics Building or by appointment.

Textbook: Inquiry into Physics 6th edition, by V.J. Ostdiek & D.J. Bord, available at UVa bookstore. You will also need to purchase a transmitter that will be used in lecture class (see below).

Syllabus - click here

Midterm Exams:
Two midterm tests will be given at the dates and times shown in the syllabus.The tests will be administered during regular class time, 12:30 to 13:45. The tests will consist of multiple choice questions similar to the ones encountered in class or in the homework.

Final Exam:
Monday, December 17, 2007, 2:00-5:00, Room 203

Office Hours for Help: The course instructor will hold regular office hours at the times shown above or by appointment. Although you can ask questions about homework or about lecture material, we will not work out the homework for you, but will try to guide you. Office hours can sometimes be crowded. They are not really a tutoring session.

Student Response System Transmitters
Every student will be required to have an EduCue transmitter in class to personally respond to the quizzes and questions throughout the lectures, which will contribute to five percent of your grade. The transmitters are for sale at the Newcomb Hall University Bookstore. You might be able to sell the transmitters back to the bookstore when the class is finished. Click here for further important information.

When you have purchased your transmitter, you must register its ID number so we can know when to credit you for answering. The transmitter registration is done via theToolkit . Do your registration right away, you will be asked to answer quizzes as early as the second or third class.

Course Objectives
The aim of this course is to teach you concepts and understanding of the physical world. While using a limited amount of math, we will explore the numerous ways in which Physics plays a role in everyday's life. The lectures are oriented towards helping you understand the concepts and solve simple problems. We will perform many demonstrations and examine several examples.

Homework Assignments
Homework problems will be assigned every week. The problems will be posted and available on WebAssign, and the responses will be given on WebAssign.

WebAssign - click here to log onto WebAssign
(First time Logon, click here)

Remarks

1. Homework due dates will be posted on WebAssign. No extra credit or makeup assignments will be given. Keep up! Any (exceptional) request for an extension should be made before the due date, not after, and it should be supported by a valid reason.
2. No makeup exams will be given. Missed exams receive a grade of zero unless an excuse for missing the exam is given to and accepted by the professor before the exam. In very unusual circumstances, when an exam is excused, the remaining exams will be averaged. Students should not depend on this happening.
3. Collaboration on homework problems: We encourage you to discuss homework problems with each other and to work out together methods of solution, but our experience has been that it is valuable for you to work the homework problems by yourself before seeking help. The homework answer that you submit must be your own. It is an honor violation for you to copy another person's solution.
4. Attendance policy: Attendance is not taken, but you are responsible for all assigned material, whether it is presented in lecture or not. You are also responsible for knowing the problem assignments and for any announcements of changes in the schedule that may be made in lecture.

Grading
Final grades will be determined by the following distribution:

Final Exam	35%
Two Midterm Exams	40%
Homework	20%
Quizzes in lecture	5%

Course Rules and Regulations:

It is important for students to be aware of these rules and regulations which may change throughout the course. Changes will be announced in class, and all changes will be listed on the website. Students are responsible for keeping up with the Course Rules and Regulations as stated on the website.

In general, assignments and notices will be listed on the course webpage. This includes, but is not limited to, homework assignments, syllabus changes, course rules and regulations changes and additions, dates and times of any review sessions, and material to be covered on class exams.

1. Illness (as an excuse) must always be established in writing (e-mail is acceptable).
2. If you do not turn in an assignment (including homework) on time or miss an exam you will receive a grade of zero, unless you have prearranged approval by your professor. Messages of any kind including, but not limited to, email, telephone message, oral messages of any kind, notes delivered by a third party, etc., are not acceptable by themselves without a response by your professor. Any oral approval given by your professor must be confirmed in writing.
3. There will be no rescheduling of exams or quizzes. Exams and quizzes are excused only for instructor approved personal or family medical emergencies, official university travel, or certain religious holidays. Leaving town for anything else including, but not limited to, vacations, family reunions, concerts, Nobel prize receptions, White House visits, athletic events for non-participants, etc., will not be an acceptable excuse for missing an exam or quiz or for not turning in homework.
4. You may work together doing homework, but you must work out the solution by yourself.
5. See the section on Student Reponse System Transmitters for policy considering the transmitters.
6. The following is unacceptable in class: newspaper reading, cell phones ringing or in use, use of laptop computers or other personal electronic devices for any reason other than directly for the class.